The New Seiko Prospex “Save the Ocean” Diver Scuba SRPH75K1 & SRPH77K1 (Live Pics & Price)

Seiko is one of the biggest names in the watchmaking industry and has a reputation for producing some of the best dive watches available. The brand is also active in the preservation of marine life wherever possible through the “Save the Ocean” program. This goes back to 2018 when Seiko announced a partnership with Fabien Cousteau, legendary underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s grandson. Ever since that first collaboration, multiple series of watches have been introduced (here, here and here). New for 2022 are the Seiko Prospex “Save the Ocean” Diver Scuba Special Edition Monster SRPH75K1 and Baby Tuna SRPH77K1.

Seiko has had great success with the “Save the Ocean” special edition watches. Combining the robust style of its more affordable dive watch collections with unique, textured dials, it has managed to create a popular new sub-collection. While the earliest models would be primarily based on the emblematic (King) Turtle and (King) Samurai, last year’s editions saw the “Save the Ocean” theme expand to the Monster and Baby Tuna.

Similar as with the previous two special editions, the latest iterations are dedicated to Antarctica, the largest marine sanctuary in the world and one of the most delicate ecosystems. What most might see as a barren wasteland of nothing but snow and ice is actually a unique landscape with skies, rocks, ice and wildlife seen nowhere else on the planet. Capturing the spirit of Antarctica, Seiko once again plays on textures and colours, with a frivolous touch to both dials.

The Monster “Save the Ocean” SRPH75K1

The first of the two new “Save the Ocean” models is the SRPH75K1. This uses an iconic model of the Japanese manufacturer as a base; the Monster. The “Monster” name originates from the 2001 reference SKX779 and SKX781, and stems from the bold design of the case and its almost integrated steel bracelet. Since 2015, the Monster resides under the Prospex designation and it was updated once more in 2019.

With its signature stainless steel case with partly shrouded bezel, the Monster “Save the Ocean”” SRPH75K1 is an instantly recognizable design. Its aggressive style is trademarked with an inward sloping bezel with big notches and a rather pronounced 60-minute diving scale. It measures 42.4mm in diameter and 13mm in height, which sounds rather large. Yet, thanks to the short lugs and integration of the bracelet it remains a comfortable companion.

This new edition of the “Save the Ocean” range features a similarly textured dial as the SRPG59K1 from last year, but with a much deeper tone of blue. The texture mimics the icy environment of Antarctica and it has several penguin-silhouettes “swimming” between 6 and 11 o’clock. The large indices and hands are coated with LumiBrite. The Hardlex crystal, which sits slightly lower than the top of the bezel, has a large magnifier for the day/date indication.

The SRPH75K1 uses Seiko’s 4R36 automatic movement, an accessible yet reliable “engine”. It runs at a frequency of 21,600vph and provides the 41 hours of power reserve. The stainless steel bracelet features a folding clasp with a diving extension. This special, non-limited edition is priced at EUR 550.

Quick Facts – 42.4mm x 13mm – stainless steel case – Hardlex crystal with day/date magnifier – unidirectional bezel – 200m water-resistance with screw-down crown and caseback – textured deep blue dial with penguin silhouettes – applied luminous indices and hands – Calibre 4R36 automatic – 21,600vph – 24 jewels – 41h power reserve – hours, minutes, (hacking) seconds, day of the week, date – stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp and diving extension – special, non-limited edition – EUR 550

The Baby Tuna “Save the Ocean” SRPH77K1

The second of the two is the Baby Tuna “Save the Ocean” SRPH77K1. With its signature shrouded diving bezel this is directly linked to the iconic “Tuna” reference 6159-7010 from 1975. The Baby Tuna is a smaller and slightly simpler iteration of that historic model but retains the same design ethos.

Its stainless steel case measures 43,2mm in diameter and 13mm in height. This means it is still not a small watch, but the unique construction of the case, with partly hidden lugs, means it wears a lot smaller in reality. The typical design of the case is mostly brushed, with polished details here and there. The knurled bezel has a metallic insert with a 60-minute diving scale filled in black. Its water-resistance is rated at 200m thanks to the Hardlex crystal, screw-down crown and solid caseback.

The Baby Tuna “Save the Ocean” SRPH77K1 uses the same style of dial as the Monster SRPH75K1, including the penguin silhouettes. The biggest differences are the shape of the indices and hands, and of course the lack of the day of the week indication. As with the Monster, the markers and hands are coated with copious amounts of Seiko’s LumiBrite.

The SRPH77K1 comes with Seiko’s automatic Calibre 4R35, running at a frequency of 21,600vph and providing 41 hours of power reserve. It is worn on a deep blue silicone strap with a steel pin buckle and keeper. It is once more presented as a special, non-limited edition and costs EUR 570.

Quick facts – 43,2mm x 13mm – stainless steel case – Hardlex crystal – unidirectional bezel – 200m water-resistance with screw-down crown and caseback – textured deep blue dial with penguin silhouettes – applied luminous indices and hands – Calibre 4R35 automatic – 21,600vph – 23 jewels – 41h power reserve – hours, minutes, (hacking) seconds, date – deep blue silicone strap with pin buckle and steel keeper – special, non-limited edition – EUR 570

For more information, please visit SeikoWatches.com